ED renovations begin next week at Barrhead Healthcare Centre

$9.9M upgrade to double number of treatment spaces among other improvements

BARRHEAD - Work begins next week on an emergency department (ED) upgrade and renovation at the Barrhead Healthcare Centre.

The $9.9-million project – funded through the Alberta government’s Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program – will nearly double the number of treatment spaces to 13. It also includes upgrades to the entrance, reconfiguration of the triage area, the addition of an accessible patient washroom, and improved functionality to better serve patients.

The project, which will take place in three phases, is expected to enhance patient and staff safety, patient experience and patient flow. Work is expected to be completed next spring.

“This investment in the emergency department at Barrhead Healthcare Centre is about ensuring residents have timely access to safe, high-quality care when they need it most,” says Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock. “Upgrading this vital facility strengthens front-line services, supports our healthcare teams and helps meet the growing needs of the community — today and into the future.”

Planning work for this project included extensive consultation with site leadership, staff and clinicians to create the new design, while developing a construction schedule that enables the ED to remain operational 24/7 with minimal disruption.

As work begins on the project, those attending the healthcare centre will see upgrades to the main entrance of the hospital, which will remain accessible during the renovations.

As part of the first phase of renovations, patients who are coming in for lab and diagnostic imaging appointments will continue to access the main entrance for registration, while those visiting patients will be directed to an alternate entrance to the south of the main entrance.

Additional temporary impacts during the first phase include the closure of the cafeteria to the public and modifications to the parking lot to accommodate construction activities. Wayfinding signage will be in place to guide patients and visitors. The first phase is expected to be completed in the fall.

“This project will modernize our ED and nearly double our treatment spaces, making a meaningful improvement in how patients move through the department,” says Barrhead Healthcare Centre site manager Nicki Borle. “By improving the layout, access to care spaces and workflow, we will create a smoother, more efficient experience for both patients and staff.”

AHS thanks Barrhead and surrounding communities for their patience and understanding as this work is completed.

Alberta Health Services provides acute care services for more than five million Albertans at hospitals, urgent care centres and health centres across the province. Our mission is to provide excellent and accessible patient-focused healthcare for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, increasing access to surgeries and improving patient flow.